Home ban for dad in child assault case

A 44-year-old Masterton man facing child assault charges has been barred from unsupervised visits with his children in his own home.

A 44-year-old Masterton man accused of assaulting his 4-year-old son twice in a two-day period has failed in his bid to have his bail conditions changed to allow him to return home and see his children unsupervised.

Appearing before Judge Mary O'Dwyer in Masterton District Court yesterday the man accused of assaulting the boy at Masterton on December 8 and 10 made a bid through his lawyer Jock Blathwayt to be allowed to return to the family home and see his children.

Mr Blathwayt said bail would need to be varied to allow this to happen. "He wants to go back and live with the child," he said.

Judge O'Dwyer declined the request and said the charges Mr Blathwayt's client was facing were very serious and she wasn't prepared to place the child at risk.

The man, who the Times-Age has decided not to identify as it could identify the child victim, has a condition of his bail that he not contact the victim unless through a supervised visit which the Family Court had ordered.

"You are facing charges of assaulting a child ... there is a risk of physical discipline to the child if you go back at this time," she told the man. "There is a need to protect the child."

The judge remanded the man on bail with conditions including not to drink alcohol and not to have contact with the child unless supervised and ordered through the Family Court. He is due back in court January 20 to plead to the charges.